Indicating device for engine cooling systems



Filed Oct. 29, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W... M w

Amm 21, 1936i,

V. IF. ZAHODHAKIN 2937,@115@ INDICATING DEVICE FOR ENGINE COOLINGv SYSTEMS Filed OGJL. 29, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 aff;

Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES iNnloA'rING DEVICE Forty ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMS victor F. zahoaiakin, New York, N. Y. Application october 29, 1934, serial No. 750,587 11O1aims. (o1. 177-311) This invention relates to` automobiles, and is particularly directed to an indicator device associated with the water .cooling system of the L enginethereof. `One of they conditions attending the operationof an automobile iS that the cooling system may become clogged or interrupted by various causes, such as, the presence of rust, sediment, and particularly in the colder climates or where atmospheric temperature greatly fluctuates is that the water, or other liquid circulatedthrough the engine for cooling the same freezes. stopping circulation. Obviously, operation of the engine when the coolant is frozen or the flow is interrupted from any other cause is damaging, to the engine parts. Moreover, the interrupted condition is not apparent when the engine is initiallyA started. The motorist may start upon a long trip, intending to go a considerable distance, whereupon he nds himself in surroundings where it is impoSsib-le to obtain service,k andtheproper care of the engine is impossible, with the resultthatconsiderable damage is done, before the ice can be melted or other interruption remedied.

.Accordinglydt is an object of this invention to provide an indicator device associated with the engine cooling system and preferably extended toa point Visible to the motorist, to indicate to the motorist that the engine cooling water has become interrupted or frozen, and preferably gives ,this notice tothemotorist as soon as he turns on the ignition key and, consequently, before he starts the .engine or has run the engine to a harmful degree.. l Y

It is `another objeotof this invention to provide an indicator.r device of this character which is electrically operated .by current available from the conventional battery of the automobile.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an indicator` deviceof the character above mentioned which will be effective for indicating abnormal conditions in the water circulating system, that is to say, will be operated by steam pressure as `Occasionedby excessive heat in the water because of ice-blocked orI other interrupted circulation.

y The particular advantage of this device is that the motorist will attend to the matter of thawing the' engine at once-vvithout driving the car or starting out on along trip, which would obviously cause unnecessary damage to the engine parts.

Inother wordS,\-the; motorist is warned of the other interrupted condition. This advantage is apparent in cases where the interrupted or frozen condition-is not extended to the operating device but is in the water system at Some point. In this case, the indicator would not show a frozen condition when the engine is initially started but will promptly register this condition when the excessive pressure occasioned by steam occurs after a Short period of engine operation.

Other objects and further advantages Will be more fully apparent from a description of the accompanying drawings. This application is a continuation in part of ymy application, Serial No. 730,282, led June 12, 1934, entitled Indicator device for automobiles.

In the. drawings:

Figure 1 is a general View illustrating the indicator deviceof this invention mounted relative to the engine and instrument board of the automobile;

Figure 2 is a sectional viewdetailing the pressure operated unit of the device used in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower portion of Figure 2;

Figure Llis a detailed sectional view of the lower portion of a modied form of pressureoperated unit;

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional View of the lower portion of a further modied form of pressure-operated unit;

Figure 6 is an elevation of a still further modied form of the invention; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, of the pressure-operated unit of Figure 6.

Referring to the drawings, and first to Figures 1 to 3, the engine of the automobile is indicated generally at 5, and the instrument board at 6. The pressure-operated unit 'l for the indicator device of this invention is mounted on the water jacket of the cylinder head 8 of the engine, although it will be understood that this unit can be attached to the engine, or otherwise, at any point or location where it is in communication with the Water circulated through the engine; in other words,` cylinder block, radiator, and below the level or surface of the water.

Said Operating unit 'l comprises a body 9 having external screw threads engaged in a screwthreaded opening in the water jacket wall l0 of said head 8. A bushing or backing l2, of insulating material, is Xed in body 9 against an internal shoulder I3 of the latter and is so held by a metallic washer I4, on which the upper edge of body 9 is upset as at l5.

A diaphragm D is marginally clamped in place between said shoulder and outer portion of the backing member l2, but the remainder of the diaphragm is slightly spaced, depending on the diameter of the diaphragm, say from .001 inch to .060 inch, from the remainder of the lower end of the backing and from an electrode i5', about wln'ch the material of the backing is cast and reinforced by lower and upper enlargements a and b. A nut It is vthreaded to a stud il on the backing and clamps a conductor or lead I8 against enlargement b.

Said diaphragm D is very sensitive and after operation will inherently return to normal position, as it can not buckle or move beyond its elastic limit. When made of metal, such as phospor bronze, nickel, stainless steel, for example, will successfully operate when of a thickness of from .0915 inch to .0625 inch, proportioned to diameter, which may be 1/4 when the diaphragm is .0015 inch. If the diaphragm be made of rubber, for instance, it may be 1A, thick and 1/2 inch in diameter, for example.

Any air accumulating adjacent the diaphragm D may dissipate through radial slots 23 in the inner end of thev body 9.

The lower end a of the electrode forms one Contact of the expansion operated switch of the operating unit. 'I'he other contact element is the aforementioned flexible diaphragm D, which readily dilates under pressure.

The flexible disc or diaphragm is in electrical connection with the battery B through the engine body by way of a lead 24, Figure 1. Theother lead IB extends to the indicating instrument 25 mounted on the dash board, and is connected to the ignition switch 2S, also on the instrument board, and thence to the battery by way of lead 2l. The said lead 2l is continued to the timer 28 of the engine in the usual manner. Said indicator device 25 is conventional, and may cornprise an electric signal light 29 mounted behind the instrument board and covered by a glass disc 30 secured in the instrument board and carrying the information Dangen engin-e frozen thereon. It is preferable that the glass be of some attention-commanding color, such as, red.

Assuming a frozen or otherwise interrupted condition of the coolant, it will be apparent that the expansion created in the water circulating system or passageway, in this case, particularly in the engine head, will force the flexible electrode outwardly, contacting the low-er end of the electrode I5, thus completing the electrical circuit from the battery, except for the ignition switch. When the motorist turns on the ignition switch, he fully completes the circuit, the light 29 is illuminated, and he is at once informed of the frozen or otherwise interrupted condition of the cooling system of his engine. On the other hand, if it should happen that there is an interrupted but not frozen condition somewhere in the water circulating system remote from the operating unit, the operating unit will not be eiective when the engine is not running. However, after the engine has been started, the pressure will rapidly increase due to failure of the water to circulate. This pressure will be eilective throughout the water system and will cause operation of the operating unit and close the circuit to the indicator 25, whereupon the interrupted or frozen condition will be apparent to the motorist before the water connections are blown out, or other damage is done.

The shape oi the diaphragm D and that of the backing and electrode portion ra; substantially conform to each other, as shown.

Said diaphragm D, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3, may have an annular incline 20 to preserve its resilience and especially its ability to return to the normal position shown.

Figure 4 illustrates a diierent form of diaphragm having an S-shaped incline 2U', and in Figure 5 the diaphragm has its active portion 20 spherical, and the backing is similarly shaped. Otherwise, these formsy of Figures 4 and 5 conform to that of Figures l to 3.

In Figures 6 and '7, another modification shows that the device may be used exteriorly of the engine 30', with the diaphragm uppermost and the electrode lowermost. An L or elbow 3l is screwed into the water jacket wall of the engine head or otherwise at 32, and at its other end is screwed at 33 to an extension 34 on body 9. Said body 9 corresponds to body 9, aside from the screw threads of the latter. Otherwise, this unit, aside from inversion, corresponds to the unit 'l and is connected in the same manner as unit 1 in Figure 1. Water from the circulating system of the engine l'llls L 3| and directly acts on the diaphragm, any trapped air being permitted to rise through L 3|.

What I claim is:

l. In an apparatus for indicating excessive pressure conditions in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, a pressure operated circuit closer comprising a diaphragm of relatively thin metal, means for mounting said diaphragm in direct contact with the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine below the surface of said liquid, a xed backing member mounted in closely spaced relation to said diaphragm and having a contour substantially similar to that of said diaphragm, a contact mounted in said backing member substantially iiush with said surface thereof for engagement by said diaphragm, an indicator device, and a circuit including a source of current, said contact, said diaphragm and the indicator device, whereby the indicator device is operated for displaying a signal upon the occurrence of excessive pressure in the cooling system of the engine.

2. In an apparatus for indicating excessive pressure conditions in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, a device comprising a diaphragm of relatively thin material, means for mounting said diaphragm in direct contact with the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine below the surface of said liquid, a backing member preventing buckling of the diaphragm mounted in closely spaced relation to said diaphragm and having a contour substantially similar to that of said diaphragm, a signal device, and means including said diaphragm for operating said signal device by an excessive pressure condition in the cooling system.

3. In an apparatus for indicating excessive pressure conditions in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, a device comprising a diaphragm, mea-ns mounting said diaphragm in direct contact with the liquid and below the surface thereof, said means preventing movement of the diaphragm beyond its elastic limit, said means including a contact, a portion of the diaphragm disposed in relatively close spaced relation to the contact, a signal device, and a circuit including said diaphragm, contact, and signal device for operating said signal device by an excessive pressure condition in the cooling system.

4. In an apparatus for indicating excessive pressure conditions in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, a device comprising a diaphragm of relatively thin metal, a body having an interior shoulder engaged marginally by said diaphragm, a backing member preventing buckling of the diaphragm and securing the margin thereof against said shoulder, said backing having a portion mounted in closely spaced relation to a portion of the diaphragm and having a contour substantially similar to that of the diaphragm, said body and backing mounting said diaphragm in direct contact with the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine below the surface of said liquid, a signal device, and circuit means including said diaphragm for operating said signal device by an excessive pressure condition in the cooling system.

5. In a signal mechanism for indicating interrupted circulation in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, a device comprising a diaphragm oi relatively thin material in direct contact with the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine below the surface of said liquid, means for mounting said diaphragm comprising a body in communication with the liquid provided with an innner shoulder on which the diaphragm seats, a backing member within the body preventing buckling of the diaphragm, a securing member on the backing member, means on the body overlapping said securing member, the diaphragm mounted at its central portion in closely spaced relation and conforming to the shape of the adjacent end of the backing meniber, an electrode in the backing member, a. signal device, and an electrical circuit means including said diaphragm, electrode and signal device, for operating said signal device by an interrupted circulation condition in the cooling system.

6. In a signal mechanism for indicating interrupted circulation in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, a device comprising a diaphragm of relatively thin material in direct contact with the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine below the surface of said liquid, means for mounting said diaphragm comprising a body in communication with the liquid provided with an inner shoulder on which the diaphragm seats, a backing member within the body preventing buckling of the diaphragm, a securing member on the backing member, means on the body overlapping said securing member, the diaphragm mounted at its central portion in closely spaced relation and conforming to the shape of the adjacent end of the backing member, an electrode in the backing member, said backing member having insulation cast to said electrode, enlargements on the electrode preventing movement of the insulation relative thereto, a signal device, and an electrical circuit means including said diaphragm, electrode, and signal device, for operating said signal device by an interrupted circulation condition in the cooling system.

7. In an apparatus for indicating excessive pressure conditions in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, a flexible diaphragm,

a connector for mounting the diaphragm in communication with the cooling system, and below the level of the cooling liquid whereby air is permitted to flow away from the diaphragm, a backing member preventing buckling of the diaphragm, said member mounted in closely spaced relation to said diaphragm, an electrode in said backing member having a contact end spaced from said diaphragm, a signal device, and an electrical circuit means including a source of current, said electrode, said diaphragm and said signal device, whereby said signal device is operated by excessive pressure condition in the cooling system effective against the diaphragm for contacting the electrode.

8. In an apparatus for indicating excessive pressure conditions in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, a pressure operated circuit closer comprising a flexible diaphragm, an electrode and a xed backing member formed of insulating material cast on the electrode and mounted in closely spaced relation to said diaphragm and having a contour substantially similar to that of said diaphragm, means for mounting said circuit closer whereby said diaphragm is disposed in direct contact with the cooling liquid of the internal combustion engine below the surface of said liquid, an indicator device, and an electrical circuit means including a source of current, said electrode, said diaphragm and said indicator device, whereby the indicator device is operated for showing excessive pressure in the cooling system upon ilexing of the diaphragm into Contact with the electrode.

9. In a signal apparatus for indicating excessive pressure conditions in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, a iiexible diaphragm, a backing member preventing buckling of the diaphragm mounted in closely spaced relation thereto, a contact in said backing member, a support element for said backing member and said diaphragm, said support element including lateral clearance passageways extending from the region adjacent the pressure side of the diaphragm for the purpose of dissipating air accumulating in this region, a signal device, and circuit means including, a source of current, said f diaphragm, said contact and said signal device, whereby contact between the diaphragm and contact induced by excessive pressure in the cooling system operates the signal device.

10. An apparatus for indicating an excessive pressure condition of the coolant of an engine including the control switch thereof, comprising, a pressure operated electric switch mounted in communication with the coolant circulating passageway of the engine, an electrically operated indicating device displaying a visible signal when the pressure is excessive, an electrical circuit for said pressure operated electric switch and said electrically operated indicating device whereby said electrically operated indicating device is controlled by said pressure operated electric switch, and the control switch for the engine included in the electrical circuit to said indicating device, whereby both the pressure operated electric switch and the engine control switch must be closed before the signal is displayed.

11. In combination with the cooling system of an engine using liquid coolant exposed to atmospheric pressure, a pressure indicating switch mechanism including a diaphragm of relatively thin material, means mounting said diaphragm below the upper surface of the liquid and in contact therewith, said diaphragm operable by the liquid upon interruption of circulation of the liquid, a backing element, means for mounting said backing element in closely spaced relation to the back of the diaphragm whereby it is adapted to be engaged by said diaphragm so that operation ci the diaphragm by the coolant will not destroy the elastic limit of the diaphragm, and an indicator device electrically circuited with said switch mechanism for indicating interruption of circulation of the liquid.

VICTOR F. ZAHODIAKIN. 

